JABAR EKSPRES –Luxury car manufacturer Mercedes-Benz reported its sales reached 503,483 units in the first quarter of 2023, up over 3 percent, despite supply chain disruptions, economic headwinds, and geopolitical uncertainty.
Sales of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars (excluding smart) BEVs more than doubled in the first three months of the year, electric vehicles 10 percent, while those in the top-end segment rose 18 percent to 91,772 units.
Mercedes-AMG sales increased by 44 percent to 40,330 units, based on new vehicle launches and a strong performance in the SUV segment, citing an official Mercedes-Benz statement on Thursday (5/4).
In the core segment, sales totaled 248,383 units (-11%) due to the turnover of the best-selling GLC and E-Class models. Sales in the entry segment grew by 27 percent to 163,328 units in the first quarter, while smart fell by 14 percent to 5,358 units.
Mercedes-Benz Vans significantly increased its global sales in the first quarter of 2023 to 98,885 units (+12%) despite continuing logistical challenges.
Global sales of all-electric vans increased significantly in the first quarter of 2023 to 3,570 units (Q1 2022: 2,925). The share of all-electric models in total sales thus reached 4 percent.
Mercedes-Benz expects growth to still be weighed down with the overall growth momentum of the world economy likely to remain weak for the remainder of the year. Inflation rates are still high, albeit gradually declining in many markets combined with very tight monetary policy at major central banks.
In addition, the recent turmoil in the US and European banking sectors brings new uncertainties for further global economic developments. Geopolitical uncertainty remains another factor of uncertainty.
In contrast, energy prices are expected to be less volatile than in the previous year. In addition, global supply bottlenecks are expected to ease further, which will benefit the development of the global automotive market.
Together with good sales and a favorable product mix, Mercedes-Benz generated earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of 5.5 billion euros in the first quarter of 2023 (Q1 2022: 5.2 billion euros).
